2024 BUDGET: UPKEEP ALLOWANCE OF N13.8 BILLION FOR FORMER PRESIDENTS, VICE PRESIDENTS, AND OTHERS

Babatunji Wusu –

Throughout the fiscal year 2024, the FG has allocated N13,805,814,220 for the maintenance of former presidents, vice presidents, chiefs of state, chiefs of general staff, retired heads of service, permanent secretaries, and retired heads of government agencies and parastatals.

The beneficiaries include former vice presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in addition to former presidents Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari. The beneficiaries of the windfall include General Yakubu Gowon, General Abdusalami Abubakar, General Ibrahim Babangida, and Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd), a former chief of staff.

A further N1 trillion has been put aside for government Ministries and Departments’ public service pay adjustments.

It will cost N2.3 billion to cover the benefits of former presidents, vice presidents, and chiefs of staff, and N10.5 billion to cover the benefits of professors, permanent secretaries, and retired heads of state.